Discouraged at not being consistent in exercise.

I've had the same issue, but I agree with the advice Coach Nancy gave you. I decided to try to make a habit of 10 minutes a day walking... and then it grew to fifteen and I'm doing more now.. and it isn't as hard. And I just got back from my SECOND brisk walk of the day.. this time almost half an hour at a brisker pace... and I feel wonderful.

Some people need variety, though; maybe mix it up a bit and you won't feel bored or frustrated.

Good luck.. it does get easier and better. Just hang in there! Recognizing a problem is the first big step in solving it.

SIMPLELIFE2
Posts:
707
10/28/12 12:13 P

New habits are hard to start as well as maintain at first. You have provided very little information about yourself or the challenges you are facing, so it is difficult for members to really help you. Perhaps you can share a bit more about yourself, goals and current lifestyle. You will find a ton of support if you open up a bit more.

Perhaps the reason you're not consistent is because you're trying to do too much too soon. You don't have to exercise an hour a day to be healthy. As Coach Nancy mentioned, taking a 10 minute walk three times a day still adds up to a 30 minute walk. You can break your workouts up into shorter segments and still get all the benefits.

If we want our exercise routine to become a "habit", we have to slowly ease into that routine. don't try to do everything at once or you will end up frustrated. Why not start with a simple goal for the week ? How about taking a 15-30 minute walk each day for one week ?

There really are lots of ways to sneak in exercise through the day. Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your routine ? The more you tell us, the better we can help.

I went to have a peek at your SparkPage to see how long you have been a member, but your page is set to Private. You may be aware of this , but a lot of members aren't. If you are one of the latter, you can edit your SparkPage and open it so that we can drop by. It is a good way to get a lot of positive encouragement.

When I first started on my exercise journey it was after being sent to rehab as the result of an accident a couple years earlier. The physiotherapist had me doing gentle warm-ups on a gym ball for 5 minutes twice a day. After a week a couple more exercises were added and this took me to 10 minutes twice a day. I gradually built on that - sometimes it was 2-3 weeks before the exercises were increased. But the point is, we all have to start somewhere. It is this gradual building of time and type that is what will last us the lifetime. My exercise has stayed ever since altho' I don't exercise every day and don't do the normal suggested amount, either, but what I do is regular and works, and that is what this is about. It is 9 years since I started and what I can do now is a lot more than when I started!

BTW - the beauty of a gym ball is that you can sit on it to watch TV - you can sit on it while on the computer, and you can sit on it to eat, or talk on the phone. That in itself burns calories because you use energy just maintaining your balance. Then of course there is ALWAYS the temptations to bounce up and down on it, and next comes the rolling around the floor with it. GREAT fun and GREAT exercise :-)

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